Japan’s Finance Minister Signals Ready Moves on the Yen

Satsuki Katayama, Japan’s Finance Minister, told reporters in Washington that her talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent focused on foreign‑exchange concerns.

The meeting, held during Katayama’s visit to the U.S., was described as “thorough” by her. Both sides agreed to keep their lines of communication even tighter than before.

Katayama said that Japan is prepared to act decisively if the situation with the yen warrants it. She used the phrase “bold action” to suggest that Japan will not hesitate to intervene in currency markets if needed.

The discussion took place after the U.S. and Japan held a bilateral meeting earlier that day, where they exchanged views on broader economic issues.

Katayama’s comments come as the yen has been under pressure against the dollar, prompting global markets to watch Japan’s next steps closely. Her remarks signal a shift in tone—from caution to readiness—hinting that Japan may step in sooner than before if the yen weakens further.

The government’s stance reflects a broader trend of central banks signaling potential intervention to stabilize their currencies. Overall, the meeting underscored that Japan and the United States are coordinating closely on currency matters, with Japan signaling it is ready to act if market conditions demand.